Best 8 Design Libraries & Sites for Free CAD Files Download – How to Get Free 3D CAD Models | CNCLATHING

1. GrabCAD

One of the most popular CAD libraries, you might have used it before, GrabCAD contains numerous works of designers, it boasts there are 7,860,000 engineers with over 4,410,000 free CAD files, and the quantity is keep rising. You can filter the free CAD file by selecting category (3D printing, aerospace, agriculture, automotive, aviation, medical, furniture, industrial design, etc.), software (AutoCAD, CATIA, FreeCAD, Fusion 360, Powermill, etc.) and time or popularity. Its interface is clear and straightforward, you can fast search the target file through the navigation. Once you find the model you want, click it and you can get different renderings of it and check out its details. Choose “Download files” after you have joined the community. 

What’s more, it has a specialized section for listed tutorials about design and CAD software, it’s even classified as the skill level, no matter you are beginner, intermediate or expert, you can find proper tutorial. If you have any problems, you can ask your question at the Questions board. 

Visit GrabCAD: https://grabcad.com/library

2. Free3D

Compared to GrabCAD, Free3D’s free CAD file libraries is not that huge. But you can also find 16749 3D models for free on this site, the page looks easy to operate, you can select the wanted model through the industry categories that located on the top of the interface, including architecture, automotive, character, furniture, electronics, animal, plant and more options, or filter the file through the types of 3D models (blender, cinema 3D, 3ds Max, FBX, etc.), it also provides different labels for selection, like Animated, Lowpoly, 3D Printable and Rigged. Except for free CAD models, there is a large number of paid CAD models for sale. The advantage of Free3D is all of the prices of the work has been listed, users can choose anyone according to their own requirements.

Visit Free3D: https://free3d.com/3d-model

3. TraceParts

Majority of the sites on the list can be searched in the Google, the TraceParts is also included. Enter the homepage, you can see the statistics of important data of this site, it has 960 catalogs, 115,544,652 searchable part, 4,029,010 registered users, 142,628,893 product data downloads, 11,469,905 searches per year. If you are ensure what design you want, input the keywords directly on the Search bar in the middle of the page. There are also divided industries for selection, including mechanical components, manufacturing engineering, materials, electrical, optics and more, this site is more suitable for designs applied in manufacturing industry. It offers very detailed classification for the search result under each industry, for example, under the navigation of mechanical components, you can filter the model in standards, suppliers, standards organizations and types of components, you can check the CAD model and official company-affiliated parts at the same time. Register for free firstly, then choose the file format and download directly.

Visit TraceParts: https://www.traceparts.com/en

4. 3D ContentCentral

3D ContentCentral offers free service for locating, configuring, downloading and requesting 2D and 3D parts and assemblies, you can download the user contributed and supplier certificated 2D or 3D parts, 2D blocks, library features and macros. Using 3D ContentCentral, you can quickly identify the desired component and download the 3D model created by the manufacturer, which ensures the supplier certificated CAD model match the actual parts. You can search directly on the Search bar, it also offers a list of recently joined suppliers on the homepage, it also works with world leading suppliers including Bimba Manufacturing Company, Boston Gear, BTMm DE-STA-CO Industries, Enerpac, Festo and more. 

Visit 3D Content Central: https://www.3dcontentcentral.com

5. TurboSquid

TurboSquid is a community of game developers, architects, advertisers, new agencies and artist around the world to provide them extensive designs of modern products, the library of 3D models gathers the creativity of designers and allows free 3D models download to save much time of making a great model and add your personality to the creations. It offers thousands of free CAD models and a large number of premium models priced start under $5. Files available in all major formats – max, fbx, obj, c4d, maya. Top 3D model categories on this site including airplane, anatomy, animal, architecture, car, food & drink, industrial, robot, technology, vehicles, etc.

Visit TurboSquid: https://www.turbosquid.com/Search/3D-Models/free

6. 3D CAD Browser

The interface of 3D CAD Browser is basic and not rich in color, the list of 3D models is obvious on the homepage 3D CAD Browser is an online 3D models exchange resource for CAD engineers and computer graphic designers, over 21400 3d models are available, and more than 800 are free to download. You can download polygonal mesh 3D models and 3D CAD solid objects. Users are allowed to review the model, you can check the file by the menu (vehicle, aircraft, electronics, etc.) under the “3D Models”, as well as top 500 and new 500, choose free only if you want to download free 3D model. All 3D models download from here are available in  .max, .obj, .3ds, .fbx, .dxf, .stl, .dae, and .x file formats. Every 3D CAD Model can be imported into SolidWorks, Inventor, Pro/Engineer, CATIA, AutoCAD and other CAD programs. But, the number of downloads of each user depends on registered account and how many uploads you have. 

Visit 3D CAD Browser: https://www.3dcadbrowser.com/3dmodels.aspx?category=free

7. 3D Export

3D Export is a site to sell and buy 3D models, 3D printings, and VR/AR. With 234907 3D models and 7769 free items, these designs involves building, melee, table, chair, cookware tools, jewellery, household items, sofa and miscellaneous. The downloadable file supports IGES, STEP, Blend, STL, OBJ, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and the majority of formats suits 3D printing applications. The search filter options including rating, votes, views, price, upload time and best sales. 

Visit 3D Export: https://3dexport.com/free-3d-models

8. ARCAT

The last one we are going to introduce is ARCAT, it’s a CAD file source mainly related to building products, there are free architectural CAD drawings and blocks for download in DWG or PDF file formats for designing with AutoCAD and other 2D and 3D modeling software. The classification is very detailed, only for door, there are dozens of categories. It also provides CAD tools, and several forums for designers and users to discuss questions and share ideas. 

Visit ARCAT: https://www.arcat.com/details/cad_details.shtml